Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray

Oscilloscope) Working and

Applications
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Introduction:
The CRO stands for a cathode ray oscilloscope. In modern electronics, the CRO
plays an important role in the electronic circuits. It is typically divided into four
sections which are display, vertical controllers, horizontal controllers, and
Triggers. Most of the oscilloscopes are used the probes and they are used for
the input of any instrument. We can analyze the waveform by plotting
amplitude along with the x-axis and y-axis.
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

What Is A CRO

 The cathode ray oscilloscope is an electronic test instrument.

 It is used to obtain waveforms when the different input signals are

given.

 In the early days, it is called as an Oscillograph.

 The oscilloscope observes the changes in the electrical signals over

time.
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

What Is A CRO
 Thus the voltage and time describe a shape and it is continuously graphed
beside a scale.

 By seeing the waveform, we can analyze some properties like amplitude,

frequency, rise time, distortion, time interval and etc.
INTRODUCTION TO OSCILLOSCOPE

The CRO (Cathode Ray Oscilloscope),

generally referred to as the oscilloscope
or simply “scope” is probably the most
versatile measuring instrument
Basically, CRO is a voltmeter with a
screen.
Measurement of parameters:
◦ AC or DC voltage
◦ AC or DC current
◦ Time
◦ Phase relationship
◦ Frequency
INTRODUCTION TO OSCILLOSCOPE …

Oscilloscope consists of the following

parts:
◦ CRT – Cathode Ray Tube (Heart of Instrument)
◦ Vertical amplifier
◦ Horizontal amplifier
◦ Sweep generator
◦ Trigger circuit
◦ Associated power supplies
There are 2 types of oscilloscope: analog
and digital
However their principle and
basic characteristics are still
the same
INTRODUCTION TO OSCILLOSCOPE …

Analog Oscilloscope Digital Oscilloscope

 Architecture of
CRT
Electron
• gun
A heated cathode to give off e . If grid is ve,
pushes back some e
• The grid controls fewer e reach
brightness on the screen. screen

• An anode to accelerate e .
electron gun
e beam

+
Vacuum
Filament
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

What is a CRO

Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Block Diagram of CRO

Block Diagram of CRO

The Cathode Ray Tube
 The Cathode Ray Tube
• The CRT is composed of two main parts,
1. Electron Gun
2. Deflection System
• Electron Gun
– Electron gun provides a sharply focused electron beam directed
toward the fluorescent-coated screen.
– The thermally heated cathode emits electrons in many directions.
The control grid provides an axial direction for the electron beam
and controls the number and speed of electrons in the beam.
– The momentum of the electrons determines the intensity, or
brightness, of the light emitted from the fluorescent coating due to
the electron bombardment. Because electrons are negatively
charged, a repulsion force is created by applying a negative voltage
to the control grid, to adjust their number and speed.
 The Cathode Ray Tube
– A more negative voltage results in less number of electrons in
the beam and hence decreased brightness of the beam spot.
Since the electron beam consists of many electrons, the beam
tends to diverge. This is because the similar (negative) charges
on the electrons repulse each other. To compensate for such
repulsion forces, an adjustable electrostatic field is created
between two cylindrical anodes, called the focusing anodes. The
variable positive voltage on the second anode cylinder is
therefore used to adjust the focus or sharpness of the bright
spot.
• The Deflection System
– The deflection system consists of two pairs of parallel plates,
referred to as the vertical and horizontal deflection plates. One
of the plates in each set is permanently connected to the ground
(zero volt), whereas the other plate of each set is connected to
input signals or triggering signal of the CRO.
The Cathode Ray Tube
Block diagram of a cathode-ray
oscilloscope:
COMPONENTS OF THE
CATHODE-RAY OSCILLOSCOPE:

The CRO consists of the

following:
 (i) CRT
 (ii) Vertical amplifier
 (iii) Delay line
 (iv) Horizontal amplifier
 (v) Time-base generator
 (vi) Triggering circuit
 (vii) Power supply
 Power
supply
 I t provides the voltages required by the
cathode ray tube to generate and
accelerate the electron beam.
 Cathode ray tube (CRT) requires high
voltage for pre- accelerating and
accelerating anode, low voltage required
for heater, control grid, focusing anode
and the other circuits of CRO.

Vertical Amplifier: The signal under the analysis is

to be applied to vertical deflection plates through the vertical
amplifier.
Delay
line
 I f both vertical and horizontal signals
arrives at the same time to the
corresponding deflection plates, then only
we will get exact waveform.
 But vertical signal arrives much early
compared to the horizontal signal. For this
reason, the vertical signal at the output of
the vertical amplifier should be delayed
with the help of delay line. The delay time
is almost equal to 200nsec.
 Trigger
circuit
 This is triggered by the portion of the vertical
amplifier output.
 This circuit initiates then time base
generator. It is the link between the
vertical input and horizontal time base.
 Triggercircuit is used to synchronize
horizontal deflection with vertical deflection.
Horizontal
Amplifier
 The saw tooth voltage produced by the
time base generator may not be of
sufficient strength.
 Hence before giving it to the horizontal
deflection plates, it is amplified using the
horizontal amplifier.
CATHODE-RAY
 electron gun or electron emitter, the
The
TUBE:
deflecting system and the fluorescent
screen are the three major components of a general
Fig.
purpose CRT. A detailed diagram of the cathode-ray
14-2.
oscilloscope is given in
Electron
Gun:
 In the electron gun of the CRT, electrons are
emitted, converted into a sharp beam and focused upon
 the fluorescent screen.
The electron beam consists of an indirectly
 heated cathode, a control grid, an accelerating electrode
and a focusing anode.
 The electrodes are connected to the base pins.
 The cathode emitting the electrons is surrounded by a
control grid with a fine hole at its centre.
The accelerated electron beam passes through
the fine hole.
The negative voltage at the control grid controls
the flow of electrons in the electron beam, and
consequently, the brightness of the spot on the CRO
screen is controlled.
Defl ection
Systems:
 Electrostatic deflection of an electron
generalbeam
purpose oscilloscope.
is used in a The deflecting
system consists of a pair of horizontal and
 verticalLet
deflecting plates.
us consider two parallel vertical
P1 and deflecting plates
P2. The beam is focused at point O
on the screen in the absence of a deflecting
plate voltage.
 If a positive voltage is applied to
to plateplate P1 negatively
P2, the with respect
charged electrons
are attracted towards the positive plate P1,
and these electrons will come to focus at
point Y1 on the fluorescent screen.
Defl ection
Systems:
The deflection is proportional to the deflecting voltage
between the plates. If the polarity of the deflecting voltage is
reversed, the spot appears at the point Y2, as shown in Fig. 14-
3(a).
 Deflection
Systems:
 To deflect the beam horizontally, an alternating voltage is
applied to the horizontal deflecting plates and the spot on the
 screen horizontally, as shown in Fig. 14-3(b).
The electrons will focus at point X2. By changing the polarity
of voltage, the beam will focus at point X1. Thus, the horizontal
movement is controlled along X1OX2 line.
Display waveform on the
screen: Figure 14-5(a) shows a sine wave applied to vertical deflecting
plates and a repetitive ramp or saw-tooth applied to the horizontal plates.
 The ramp waveform at the horizontal plates causes the
electron beam to be deflected horizontally across the screen.
 If the waveforms are perfectly synchronized then the exact sine
wave applied to the vertical display appears on the CRO display screen.
Fluorescent
Screen:
 Phosphor is used as screen
surfacematerial
of a CRT.onPhosphor
the innerabsorbs the
energy of the incident electrons. The spot of
light is produced on the screen where the
 electronThe beam hits.
bombarding electrons
release secondary
striking theemission
screen, electrons.
These electrons are collected or trapped by
an aqueous solution of graphite called
 “Aquadag” which is
Collection ofconnected to the
the secondary electrons
second
keep anode.
theis screen in a to
necessary state of
 electricalTheequilibrium.
type of phosphor used,
the light determines
spot. The brightest
the coloravailable
of
phosphor isotope, P31, produces yellow–
green light with relative luminance of
99.99%.
TIME-BASE
GENERATORS:
 The CRO is used to display a waveform that varies as a function of
time. If the wave form is to be accurately reproduced, the beam should
 have a constant horizontal velocity.
As the beam velocity is a function of the deflecting voltage,
 the deflecting voltage must increase linearly with time.
A voltage with such characteristics is called a ramp voltage. If the
voltage decreases rapidly to zero—with the waveform repeatedly
 produced, as shown in Fig. 14-6—we observe a pattern which is generally
called a saw-tooth waveform.
Time baseThegenerator is used
time taken to generate
to return to its saw
initialtooth voltage,
value required
is known to deflect
as flyback or
the beam in horizontal
return time. section.
In saw tooth wave form, the deflecting voltage increases slowly and linearly with
respect to time and reduces to zero quickly (fast) i.e. raise time is high and fall
time is less.
 TYPESOF THE CATHODE-
OSCILLOSCOP
RAY
ES: The categorization of CROs is done on the basis of
whether they are digital or analog. Digital CROs can be
 further classified
1. Analog CRO:as In storage oscilloscopes.
an analog CRO, the amplitude,
phase and frequency are measured from the displayed
waveform, through direct manual reading.
 2. Digital CRO: A digital CRO offers digital read-out of signal
information, i.e., the time, voltage or frequency along with
signal display. It consists of an electronic counter along with
the main body of the CRO.
 3. Storage CRO: A storage CRO retains the display up to
a substantial amount of time after the first trace has
appeared on the screen. The storage CRO is also useful for
 the display of waveforms of low-frequency signals.
These two beams produce two spots of
 4.on
Dual-Beam CRO:which
In themake
dual-beam CRO two
light the CRT screen the simultaneous
electron beams
observation fall different
of two on a single CRT.waveforms
signal The dual-gun CRT
possible. The
generates
comparisontwo different
of input andbeams.
its corresponding output becomes
easier using the dual-beam CRO.
IMPORTANT
FORMULAE:
ELECTROSTATIC DEFLECTION AND ITS
DEFLECTION SENSITIVITY
 The electro static deflection system uses
a pair of deflection plates as shown in fig.
 The hot cathode K emits electrons which
are accelerated towards the anode by
the potential Va.
 Those electrons which are not collected
by the anode pass through the tiny anode
hole and strike the end of the glass
envelope.
 The glass envelope has been coated with a
material that fluoresces when bom-barded
by electrons. Thus the position where the
electrons strike the screen are made
visible to the eye.
Fig: Electrostatic deflection in a cathode – ray Tube
 D=Ll Vd /2dVa

 This result shows that the deflection on the

screen of a cathode – ray tube is directly
proportional to the deflecting voltage Vd
applied between the plates.
 CRT may be used as a linear – voltage
indicating device.
 Defl ection Sensitivity:
 The electrostatic – deflection sensitivity of a
cathode – ray tube is defined as the
deflection (in meters) on the screen per volt
of deflecting voltage.
Spot Beam
Defl ection
Sensitivity:
 MAGNETIC DEFLECTION
SYSTEM
H e re the magnetic field is perpendicular to
direction of electron beam i.e., it directs
towards the reader.
 T h e electron beam is deflected upwards. The
electron moves in a straight line to point ‘0’
from cathode with initial velocity v0.
 Now the force acts on the electron and the
resultant direction is perpendicular to both ‘B’
and ‘v’ is so resultant path is circular one.
 Path taken by the electron with in this uniform
magnetic field is an arc of circle with radius
‘R’.
 T h e path OM is an arc of the circle whose
 Fi g :
Magnetostatic deflection in a
cathode – ray Tube
 D LB
= va . 2m
e
 Magnetic Deflection Sensitivity:

The Deflection per unit magnetic field intensity

D/B is given by is called the magnetic –
deflection Sensitivity of the tube

Which is independent of magnetic

flux density ‘B’.
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Block Diagram of CRO

 The CRO recruit the cathode ray tube and acts as a heat of the
oscilloscope.

 In an oscilloscope, the CRT produces the electron beam which

is
accelerated to a high velocity.

 It brings to the focal point on a fluorescent screen.

 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Block Diagram of CRO

 Thus, the screen produces a visible spot where the electron beam
strikes with it.

 By detecting the beam above the screen in reply to the electrical

signal.

 The electrons can act as an electrical pencil of light which produces a

light where it strikes.
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Block Diagram of CRO

 To complete this task we need various electrical signals and voltages.

 This provides the power supply circuit of the oscilloscope.

 Here we will use high voltage and low voltage.

 The low voltage is used for the heater of the electron gun to generate
the electron beam.

 The high voltage is required for the cathode ray tube to speed up the
beam.
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Block Diagram of CRO

 The normal voltage supply is necessary for other control units of the
oscilloscope.

 The horizontal and vertical plates are placed between the electron
gun and the screen.

 Thus it can detect the beam according to the input signal.

 Just before detecting the electron beam on the screen in the

horizontal direction which is in X-axis a constant time-dependent
rate, a time base generator is given by the oscillator.
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Block Diagram of CRO

 The signals are passed from the vertical deflection plate through the
vertical amplifier.

 Thus, it can amplify the signal to a level will be provided the

deflection
of the electron beam.

 If the electron beam is detected in the X-axis and the Y- axis a trigger
circuit is given for the synchronizing these two types detections.

 Hence the horizontal deflection starts at the same point of the input
signal.
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Working of CRO
 The following circuit diagram shows the basic circuit of a cathode ray
oscilloscope.
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Working of CRO

Vertical Deflection System

 The main function of this amplifier is to amplify the weak signal.

 so that the amplified signal can produce the desired signal.

 To examine the input signals are penetrated to the vertical deflection

plates through the input attenuator and number of amplifier stages.
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Horizontal Deflection System

 The vertical and horizontal system consists of horizontal amplifiers to

amplify the weak input signals.

 It is different to the vertical deflection system.

 The horizontal deflection plates are penetrated by a sweep voltage that

gives a time base.

 By seeing the circuit diagram the sawtooth sweep generator is

triggered
by the synchronizing amplifier.
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Horizontal Deflection System

 While the sweep selector switches in the internal position.

 So the trigger saw tooth generator gives the input to the horizontal
amplifier by following the mechanism.

 Here we will discuss the four types of Sweeps.

• Recurrent Sweep
• Triggered Sweep
• Driven Sweep
• Non-Saw Tooth Sweep
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Recurrent Sweep
 As the name, itself says that the saw tooth is respective that is a new
sweep is started immodestly at the end of the previous sweep.

 If the input signal is periodic, the sweep repetition rate can be adjusted
to display a few cycles of the waveform.

 They have a few (widely spaced) frequency ranges.

 Relatively wide-range continuous frequency control within a given

range.
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Triggered Sweep

 Sometimes the waveform should be observed that it may not be

predicted.

 Thus the desired that the sweep circuit remains inoperative .

 The sweep should be initiated by the waveform under the

examination.

 In these cases, we will use the triggered sweep.

 A triggered sweep starts at a selected point on the signal, providing a stable

display.
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Driven Sweep
 In general, the drive sweep is used when the sweep is a free running.

 But it is a triggered by the signal under the test.

 Adriven sweep is triggered either by a command given by the device t

hat controls the appearance of the process.

 A delay line is used to observe the initial part of the electric process,
which precedes the triggering of the driven sweep.
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Non-Saw Tooth Sweep

 This sweep is used to find the difference between the two voltages.

 By using the non-sawtooth sweep we can compare the frequency of the

input voltages.

 Sometimes, non-sawtooth sweep is also used in CRO for some special

applications.
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Synchronization
 The synchronization is done to produce the stationary pattern.

 The synchronization is between the sweep and the signal should

measure.

 There are some sources of synchronization which can be selected by the

synchronization selector.
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Internal
 In this the signal is measured by the vertical amplifier and the trigger is
abstained by the signal.

External
 In the external trigger, the external trigger should be present.

Line
 The line trigger is produced by the power supply.
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Intensity Modulation
 This modulation is produced by inserting the signal between the ground
and cathode.

 This modulation causes by brightening the display.

Positioning Control
 By applying the small independent internal direct voltage source to the
detecting plates through the potentiometer.

 The position can be controlled and also we can control the position of the
signal.
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Intensity Control
 The intensity has a difference by changing the grid potential with respect
to the cathode.
 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Applications of CRO

 Voltage measurement

 Current measurement

 Examination of waveform

 Measurement of phase and frequency

 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Uses of CRO
 In laboratory, the CRO can be used as

 It can display different types of waveforms

 It can measure short time interval

 In voltmeter, it can measure potential difference

 Tutorial On CRO (Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope) Working and Applications

Conclusion
 An Cathode Ray Oscilloscope is a type of electronic test
instrument that allows observation of constantly varying
signal voltages, usually as a two-dimensional plot of one or more
signals as a function of time. Other signals (such as sound or
vibration) can be converted to voltages and displayed.
 Deflection
• 2 setssystem
of parallel plates
• (X-plates & Y-plates).
e beam is deflected by
them
filament
electron gun deflection system
e
beam

X-plates Y-plates

+
vacuum
 Fluorescent
screen

light spot is formed. fluorescent

screen
filament
electron gun deflection system

e beam

X-plates Y-plates
+ vacuum spot

Coated with fluorescent material Glows where e beam strikes it .

 Vertical
deflection
• With no voltage across Y-plates.

The light spot rests at centre of screen.

• With a d.c. voltage

the light spot is deflected towards +ve Y-plate.

• With a 50 Hz a.c. voltage,

appears as
a vertical line

the spot makes 50 oscillations per second.

• Voltages are applied to the Y-plate via a
built-in amplifier.
• The gain control adjusts the amplification of
the input voltage
to give a suitable deflection.
Input signal whose parameter is to be measured

Vertical plate
Vertical
Amplifier

Horizontal plate
Trigger
Generator
Scree
n

Sweep Horizontal
Generator Amplifier
 Horizontal
deflection

Amplitude
Sudden fall

Time

Time base circuit varies the

voltage across the X-plates.
The spot is made to sweep across the
screen at a steady speed, then, ‘fly
back’ rapidly to the start.
 Waveform
display
An a.c. voltage across Y-
plates:
spot oscillates up & down

+ =

• Time base across X-plates:

spot sweeps across screen
MEASUREMENTS OF OSCILLOSCOPE

Voltage
Measurements
Period and
Frequency
Measurements
Phase Measurements
or Time Delay
 VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT
The vertical scale is calibrated in
either volts per division or milivolts
per division.
Using the scale setting of the scope
and the signal measured off the face
of the scope, it can measure peak-
to-peak voltage for an ac signal

tfp-p = (vertical p-p division) x

(volts/div)
OR
tfp-p = (no. of vertical division) x
 VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT …

2.5
a) Voltage Peak-to-Peak
Vp-p= (V/Div) x No. of vert.
div.
3.8 Vp
V p-p
= 100 mV/div x (3.8 x
2)
T
3.8 = 0.76 V
TD
Vp = (V/Div) x No. of
b)
vert. div. Peak
Voltage
= 100 mV/div x
10 (3.8)
A B
= 0.38 V
(Volt/Div : 100mV/Div, Time/Div :
0.5ms/Div)
 PERIOD AND FREQUENCY
MEASUREMENT
PERIOD
◦ Horizontal scale of the scope can be
used to measure time in second,
milisecond or nanosecond.
◦ The interval of a pulse from start to end
is the period of the pulse.
Period = (horizontal p-p division) x
(time/div)
FREQUENCY
◦ The measurement of a repetitive
waveform period can be used to
calculate the signal frequency.
F= 1/T
 PERIOD AND FREQUENCY
MEASUREMENT …

2.5
a) Period, T
T = (Time/Div) x (no.
div/cycle)
3.8 Vp = 0.5ms/div x 10
V p-p
= 5ms
T
3.8 b) Frequency, f
TD
f = 1/T
= 1/5ms
10
A B = 200 Hz

(Time/Div : 0.5ms/Div)
 PHASE SHIFT (PHASE DIFFERENCE)

The time interval between

waveforms is called phase delay.
The phase delay is measured between
the midpoint at the start of each
waveform

Phase difference,Ө = (phase difference in

division) x (degrees/div)
 PHASE SHIFT (PHASE DIFFERENCE)

2.5
1 = 10
cycle div
TD =2
3.8 Vp Therefore,
Vp-p div
1 cycle : 10 div = 360o
T 1 div = 360o /
3.8
TD 10 =
36o
2 div = 2 x 36o =
10 72o
A B

(Time/Div : 0.5ms/Div)
Apply 2 sinusoidal signals of SAME frequency to the X-plate (X-input)
and Y-plate (Y-input) of a CRO simultaneously.

x-amplitude = y-amplitude

=0 = /4 = /2 =3 /4
=

x-amplitude < y-
amplitude
=3 /4
=0 = /4 = =
/2
 LISSAJOUS PATTERN
 FREQUENCY MEASUREMENT
◦ The alternative way of using oscilloscope to
measure frequency.
◦ A known reference frequency sine wave is applied
to one deflection plate and the unknown sinusoidal
signal to the other deflection plate
◦ A Lissajous pattern is produced on the screen
according
to the frequency ration between the two signal.

fy max. no. of x-intercepts

=
fx max. no. of y-intercepts
 fy:fx = 3:1
No. of x-intercepts:
3 No. of y-
intercepts: 1

fy:fx = 3:2
No. of x-intercepts: 3
No. of y-intercepts: 2
Exercis
e
 LISSAJOUS PATTERN …
 PHASE ANGLE MEASUREMENT
◦ Oscilloscope can be used in the X-Y mode to
determine the phase angle between two signals.
◦ This useful technique is limited to small frequency.
◦ The formula for phase angle measurement:

Sin θ = Y1/Y2 = X1/X2

Where θ = phase angle in degree
Y1 = the distance from X-axis to the point where the Lissajous
pattern crosses Y-axis
Y2 = the maximum vertical distance on the Lissajous
X1 = the distance from Y-axis to the point where the Lissajous
pattern crosses X-axis
X2 = the maximum horizontal distance on the Lissajous
 LISSAJOUS PATTERN …

θ- phase angle in Yo-Y axis intercept Ym-maximum vertical

degree deflection
 LISSAJOUS PATTERN …

EXAMPL
E

If, in figure above, the distance Yo is 1.8cm

and
Ym=2.3cm, what is the phase angle?
How to Connect
Probe
Dual Trace System
channel)
(Adding another input
Digital Storage
Oscilloscope